NIS has an extensive Safeguarding Framework in place, including policies and guidelines on prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), child safeguarding, and workplace anti-discrimination, harassment and bullying.
Our PSEA Policy applies to all staff, including sub-contractors/consultants and implementing partners, and documents how sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) incidents must be prevented, managed, reported, and investigated, including engagement of and reporting to NIS Senior Management or the Board. Our Safeguarding framework also include regular internal awareness-raising sessions, and safeguarding training by external safeguarding professionals.
Our procedures, tools, templates, and monitoring and support mechanisms aim to ensure that both employees and implementing partners meet Safeguarding/PSEA minimum standards. This includes:
- Robust screening processes and employment practices in place for all roles, including reference checks and behavioural-based interview questions related to Safeguarding/PSEA.
- All employees and external sub-contractors/consultants are required to study, sign, and agree to adhere to the organisation’s PSEA Policy, Workplace Anti-Discrimination, Harassment and Bullying Policy, Code of Conduct and whistleblowing procedures detailing reporting channels, forms, and response procedures prior to commencing work with NIS.
- Employment contracts contain provision for suspension of any staff member who is under investigation and provisions to dismiss any employee following an investigation.
- Mechanisms for ensuring staff awareness ability to raise concerns about SEA or unacceptable behaviour include: PSEA orientation on commencement of employment; standing agenda item on risk management; regular PSEA refresher training; and programme office and HQ Safeguarding Focal Point(s).
- Safeguarding plans, reviewed and updated on a regular basis. The plan outlines how the Foundation/programme will work to implement and monitor PSEA minimum standards, both internally and in relation to partners.
- As noted, the Foundation has several Safeguarding Focal Points. NIS has developed a ToR for this role, which clearly sets out the focal point’s responsibilities.
The subject is supported and governed by the following NIS policy and guideline documents.
- NIS PSEA Policy
- NIS Child Safeguarding Policy and Principles
- NIS Incident Response Plan for Safeguarding and Code of Conduct
- Code of Conduct
Please contact NIS if you would like a copy of the documents.
If you have experienced or observed (sexual) exploitation, harassment, discrimination, or abuse, by or to staff or project stakeholders, or otherwise wish to report or raise a concern, reach out to the NIS HQ Safeguarding Focal Point: safeguarding@nis-foundation.org. All information will be treated as confidential. You can also report anonymously through the Whistleblowing form on the front page.